Potential adopters urged to pre-register for Super Dog Adoption

Looking to add a furry friend to your family? More than 150 dogs and puppies from licensed shelters and rescues will be available for adoption at Always Adopt’s Super Dog Adoption Day at Balise Toyota of Warwick on Sunday, June 1. Founder Louise Nicolosi encourages those interested in adopting a dog that day to begin Always Adopt’s pre-screening process as soon as possible.

Fifteen rescues and shelters, including Friends Of Homeless Animals, East Greenwich Animal Protection League and Warwick Animal Shelter, will bring available dogs to the event to meet with potential adoptive families. The event will be held at Balise Toyota of Warwick at 1400 Post Road in Warwick from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge for admission to the event, but adoption fees vary between $200 and $600, depending on the shelter or rescue.

Dogs of all breeds and all ages will be available.

“There are enough dogs in this area and the surrounding area that are available to adopt, and there are plenty of families in the area looking to adopt,” said Nicolosi.

These multi-agency, one-day adoption events help families interested in adoption find all of their options at one time, and give shelters a chance to showcase all of the dogs they have in their care.

This is the second time Nicolosi has organized a large adoption event at a Warwick car dealer (last year’s event was held at InSkip), but her fourth event in the state. She has also organized similar events at Clark Farms, with one scheduled there for Nov. 1 of this year. In three events since May 2013, Always Adopt adoption days have helped over 500 dogs find homes.

About 220 dogs were adopted at last year’s car dealer event, and Nicolosi hopes this year’s event will be just as successful.

In an effort to streamline the adoption process, Always Adopt is providing a common application process for potential adopters who are looking at dogs from multiple shelters.

All of the dogs available for adoption are pre-screened for medical needs and temperament, as per Rhode Island certification of the shelters and rescues. This application process allows Always Adopt to pre-screen the adopters.

“Always Adopt is screening the adopters. If they want to come and adopt on the day, they’ll have the paperwork,” said Nicolosi.

She explained that people interested in adopting at the event should fill out and submit the online application, available at www.AlwaysAdopt.com. Then, Always Adopt will contact them for a phone interview and home visit; Always Adopt will also contact the potential adopter’s vet and personal reference. The adopter will then bring that paperwork to the event.

“That doesn’t mean they are entitled to adopt a dog on that day,” said Nicolosi. “The adoption is up to the rescue.”

She continued to explain that a rescue can use the paperwork to determine if a dog is a potential match, but may want to do a second home visit with the dog and view how the family interacts, especially if there are other pets at the home already. The shelter or rescue may also have additional needs per their policy.

“We’re trying to set people up for success,” explained Nicolosi.

The common application process can take a few weeks because of the need to schedule phone interviews and house visits. If only certain portions of the pre-screening by Always Adopt have been completed, paperwork will reflect that and the shelter can take over from there. The deadline to apply with the common application is May 28.

If one does not complete the common application, they are still welcome to come to an event. The application process can begin with a specific shelter or rescue the day of the event if a dog is selected. It would take at least a few days to be able to bring the dog home, if not longer.

Nicolosi hopes these multi-agency, one-day adoption events she has started will stay strong through her organization.

“This is something that is going to continue forever,” she said. “As long as I’ve got breath in my body.”

Nicolosi hopes she will be able to reserve a regular spot in the calendar at locations in the future.

For more information on the June 1 event, to find the online application and view the dogs who will be there, visit www.AlwaysAdopt.com.